A Spotlight on Dasheka Whitaker of True Christ Production
Dasheka Whitaker did not set out to become a media producer. She spotted an ad on a bus on her way home from work — and that moment changed everything.
The ad asked a simple question: Are you interested in film, TV, and radio production? For Whitaker, the answer was yes. With encouragement from a mentor who saw her potential behind the mic, she enrolled at Illinois Media School on October 31, 2017, and graduated in May 2018 — walking away with skills in film, editing, broadcasting, Adobe, and camera work.
“That was the best gift I think I could have ever given myself,” she said. “It opened up a world of opportunities.”
From Morning Inspiration to Motivational Mondays
While still in school, Whitaker launched a podcast called Your Morning Inspiration. When COVID hit and everything shifted, she adapted — moving her show to the evenings and rebranding as Motivational Mondays, broadcasting on Facebook to an audience looking for just that.
Her internship, secured through educator coordinator Tasha Clopton, placed her at Cosmopolitan Community Church — where she got the opportunity to film a landmark sermon. She has been a member of Cosmo ever since, growing from behind the camera to directing the choir and being ordained as a minister. She also serves as president of the October Club and is a board member of the church.
Add to that a Master of Arts in ministry studies, and it becomes clear that Dasheka Whitaker is not just building a media career — she is building a legacy.
Staying Original in the Age of AI
When asked how to stand out in a media landscape flooded with AI tools, her answer was direct: be unique.
“What makes you different? Why should I come to your page? Whatever makes you unique, that’s what you want to bring to the table — because everybody is doing it.”
For Whitaker, that unique blend is faith, art, and music — infused together into everything she creates. She is intentional about keeping her craft original, designing her own flyers by hand in Canva rather than outsourcing creativity to AI.
“When you actually create the shot yourself, it gives you a greater sense of accomplishment for your craft.”
Uncommon Beauty — Coming This October
Whitaker has an exciting event on the horizon:Â Uncommon Beauty, coming in October. She will serve as the speaker, joined mime artist Claude Crowder, praise dancer Cherita Broughton, and vocalists and Tramaine Parker.
The event will also include an awards ceremony honoring people who serve faithfully behind the scenes — the ones, she says, the Lord put on her heart to acknowledge.
